Commonplace books (or commonplaces) are a way to compile knowledge, usually by writing information into books. They were journals but mostly scrapbooks of ideas, things observed, and things to remember. By the 1600s, commonplacing had become a recognized practice that was formally taught to college students in such institutions as Oxford. Beautiful blank books are still available for this purpose but the internet is so much more interesting as the content is shared.

12/18/2011

What makes a husband sexy?

A friend recently noted, “There’s nothing sexier than a committed married couple.”

The first thing I thought in response was, “Really?”

I don’t know about other married people, but I’m not what you would call a “sexy” person.

“Goofy?” Yes.

“Mischievous?” Absolutely!

But “sexy?” Uh, no.

I’m a lucky girl, however, because my husband Brad is a very sexy man. He may never grace the cover of GQ or have People Magazine label him “The Sexiest Man Alive,” but he’s the most amazing person I know.

Most women agree that a man’s sexiness has little to do with his physical characteristics. Instead, the things that make a man attractive include his integrity, character and ability to empty the dishwasher without being asked.

So, for those who just can’t figure out what women want, I have a few suggestions. Even if you’ve been married forever, I guarantee your wife will think you’re totally hot if you start doing the following things:

Show your wife you know how to work all the major appliances in the house. Throw in a load of laundry. Comet the toilets. Run the vacuum. One of my friends has a magnet on her fridge that reads, “No man was ever shot while doing the dishes.” Amen!

Take her out to dinner. If that doesn’t work with your schedule, order in. You do the ordering. And, if you want to really blow her mind, use coupons. (I can hardly control myself when Brad whips out his coupons.)

Watch the chic flick you know she’s been dying to watch. Pinch yourself really, really hard if you can’t stay awake. Tear up at the right parts (and not just because you’re pinching yourself). Hold her hand. Put your arm around her like you did when you were dating. If you’re lucky, she’ll be so moved she’ll watch Die Hard with you the next night.

Tell her she’s gorgeous even when she’s wearing her eyeglasses that she bought back in 1987 or her flannel pajamas that remind you of your grandmother. Your wife may never pose for a Victoria Secret catalog, but every woman loves to feel beautiful.

Look through her seed catalogs and home magazines with her. Suggest flowers for the garden. Select paint swatches. If you’re really daring, paint a room in the same day. She might not be able to keep her hands off you.

Give her some space when she’s PMSing. If you don’t know where to disappear to, head to the laundry room. It’s almost impossible for a woman to stay grumpy when her man sorts the socks.

Talk to her, but brace yourself. Your wife is a quintessential multi-tasker, so she can fit politics, gardening, kids, hair color, faith, movies, music and food all into a single sentence. (And when she tells you how so-and-so is doing this-and-that, don’t try to fix the situation. She’s not looking for answers; she just wants to be heard.)

Hand her the remote. Ask her which sections of the newspaper she wants to read first. Learn how she likes her coffee and make it for her once in a while. Ask her what she’d like for dinner. Even the most talkative woman will be left absolutely speechless.

Take your kids outside and throw the ball around for a while. When your 15-year-old tells you at 10 p.m. that he needs poster board for class tomorrow, take him to Wal-Mart without yelling. A woman never gets tired of knowing her husband loves his kids.

And finally, share your dreams. It’s just too dang easy to get stuck in the middle of this ridiculous life and believe that what is will always be. A marriage that stops dreaming is dying. Even if your dreams seem outrageous, tell her. She really wants to know.

I suspect everyone would order these desires differently; perhaps drop or add a few; but this is a fine list. I have been saving this picture

I labeled it 'listen, don't fix' --- obviously, in my opinion, an important asset in a husband.

Comments

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you’re really daring, paint a room in the same day. She might not be able to keep her hands off you.

Give her some space when she’s PMSing. If you don’t know where to disappear to, head to the laundry room. It’s almost impossible for a woman to stay grumpy when her man sorts the socks.

Talk to her, but brace yourself. Your wife is a quintessential multi-tasker, so she can fit politics, gardening, kids, hair color, faith, movies, music and food all into a single sentence. (And when she tells you how so-and-so is doing this-and-that, don’t try to fix the situation. She’s not looking for answers; she just wants to be heard.)

Hand her the remote. Ask her which sections of the newspaper she wants to read first. Learn how she likes her coffee and make it for her once in a while. Ask her what she’d like for dinner. Even the most talkative woman will be left absolutely speechless.